DeeAnn Salehi

DeeAnn Salehi peacefully went to heaven on a beautiful October morning in West Texas, complimented by a light rain and cool breeze. She was joyfully received in heaven by her parents, Mary and Wesley McAlpine and her husband, Jeff Salehi, who passed unexpectedly exactly four months ago, but was obviously making sure to be the first one to see her renewed in mind and body.

DeeAnn was born September 6th in Fort Worth, Texas and swiftly adopted by the most eager and loving parents anyone could have wished for. An only child, she was the pride and joy of her parents, aunts and uncles, and excelled in the classroom, cross country, and art. She loved to water-ski with her parents at Lake Nasworthy and always enjoyed gardening and helping things grow. Moving between San Angelo and Midland, she was a small town West Texas girl through and through and never minded being in the dirt. She loved everything Western, especially old classics like, ‘The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly’, and was the biggest animal lover, rescuing countless pets of all sizes in her lifetime.

Upon graduating from Midland High School she went on to Texas Tech where she would meet a mysterious foreigner at the pool that would become her husband, Jeff Salehi. Their early adventures would take them all around the oil fields, living throughout Texas and Oklahoma with their pet goat, Billy Bob. When they finally settled in Midland, DeeAnn was able to fulfill her passion of education and became a speech pathologist and taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church. She volunteered extensively throughout the community, always trying to help where she could, and had a bracelet that read, “No one can ever become poor by giving”. Having both come from humble beginnings, it was a motto DeeAnn and Jeff lived by, regardless of their circumstance or income, and it certainly led to many blessings in this life and the next.

In 1985 she became a mother, to her one and only child, Cameron. DeeAnn was a proud and grateful mother, and instilled her daughter with strong faith and values early on. Always present and involved, she was at every activity and in turn, would take Cameron to all of her volunteer jobs, no matter the situation and task.

DeeAnn was a wonderful friend to many, but her main focus was Cameron and Jeff. She spent her time at her husband’s side, which meant a lot of time at their family ranch. DeeAnn loved being outside at the ranch and saw beauty everywhere and in everything. She was an artist at heart, enjoying different interior projects by adding her personal touch or admiring the fine art both in museums and in fashion. She led a gracious and simple life, with her deep faith in Christ being at the center.

In 2013 DeeAnn was officially diagnosed with dementia and fought strongly until her dying days, never letting it beat what she knew to be true in her heart. Her faith and love remained strong, and even though her mind had faded it would be silly to not see that she died of a broken heart, knowing that the love of her life and dedicated husband, had been absent for a little too long. We are grateful for the life she was able to live and the hope that she is now fully restored and smiling again with those she loved the most.

DeeAnn is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cameron and Winston Kelly, and her two grandchildren, Cyrus Kelly and Rosemary Kelly.

We are grateful to those at Manor Park who took care of her and made her feel at home for the past four and a half years; to her caretaker Lily, who was by her side and helped her smile each day; and to those at Hospice of Midland who helped to keep her comfortable and rested with great compassion during her last days; and to all of those at Nalley-Pickle & Welch who have had the utmost empathy and excellence during our sorrows this year, we hold them in the highest regard. We also extend special thanks to Pastor Steve Schorr for his ministry, Shellie Alvarado for her talent to create beauty in every event, and to all of those at Racquet Club who always go above and beyond. We are thankful to this community and friends that are family.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11AM at First Presbyterian Church, with a reception following at the Racquet Club. She will be buried next to her beloved husband at their Hill Country ranch. In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Presbyterian Church or Manor Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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